Father, son jailed for Vic insurance arson

The owner of a hotel near Bendigo and his son have been jailed after they set fire to the family business for an insurance payout amid financial difficulties.

Jozef Jansen, 65, and his 42-year-old son Remco were on Friday jailed for at least two years over the fire that gutted the Junction Hotel at Ravenswood in June 2014.

Jozef has also been ordered to repay the $358,006 insurance payout.

A Victorian County Court jury earlier in 2017 found the pair guilty of one charge each of arson for gain, and Remco Jansen also pleaded guilty to trafficking cannabis, which was uncovered by police investigating the blaze.

Jozef was also found guilty of obtaining property by deception and was sentenced to a maximum four years in prison for his crimes.

Remco received a maximum sentence of three years and six months.

Judge Jane Patrick said the fire was Jozef's plan, but it was carried out by his son.